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Domaine Lauriga

Domaine Lauriga is situated midway between Perpignan and Thuir, and comprises 40 hectares of vines scattered around a Catalan farmhouse, all of which were purchased by René Clar in 1988. Restoring the house was only one of Clar's achievements, the other has been the establishment of a domaine featuring predominantly local varieties, namely Carignan and Muscat à Petit Grains, as well as improving varieties including Syrah and Grenache, and a small amount of internationals, namely Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The first vintage for Lauriga was some considerable time after his purchase of the estate, in 2001.

The soils here have a stony, sandy consistency which affords good drainage to the site, lying over sedimentary rocks formed in the Pliocene era. This is typical for the higher altitude vineyards in Roussillon's amphitheatre of vines. The average vine age of the domaine is 25 years, including some 20 year old Syrah and a plot of 100 year old Carignan. There is a modern fully equipped cellar overseen by oenologist Cecile Javaux, permitting temperature controlled fermentation if desired. Some of the wines see some time in oak.

The range here is good and solid, with nothing to send any shivers down my spine, but equally nothing that disappointed. I liked the oak-free Château Lauriga cuvée most of all, for its depth of fruit and its purity, unadulterated with new oak. The two Muscats presented here, both dry and sweet, were also full of welcome character. They are not currently imported into the UK but, at the time of my tasting, may be located with ease in France and the USA. (25/5/06)

Contact details:
Address: Traverse de Ponteilla, 66300 Thuir
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 68 53 26 73
Fax: +33 (0) 4 68 53 58 37

Domaine Lauriga - Tasting Notes

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Domaine Lauriga Le Muscat Sec de Lauriga (VdP d'Oc) 2004: This is the first vintage of Lauriga's Muscat, and is from very young vines. This is pale and quite pungent, with a very typical mineral and floral nose. Full and dry on the palate, but with a fat weightiness. It has a chalky, floral character. Clean, dry and very refreshing on the finish. A very good example of the style. 16/20 (October 2005)

Domaine Lauriga Côtes du Roussillon Rosé 2004:This wine is a blend of predominantly Syrah and Grenache, with some Cinsaut, and has overnight skin contact at 8-10ºC, before a saignée. It has a vibrant, shocking pink hue, with red fruits and a streak of vanilla pod on the nose. Refreshingly dry on the palate, very fruit-driven, but quite firm and structured. Rather flamboyant and a touch obvious. 15/20 (October 2005)

Domaine Lauriga Muscat de Rivesaltes 2004: This cuvée is made purely from Muscat à Petit Grains, which sees a cool fermentation in stainless steel, and no oak at all. Rather floral on the nose, aromatic, with nuances of mint. An appealing palate; it has freshness, although a slightly fat texture, carrying some honeyed, nutty fruits. This has a lovely style, and for a sweet Muscat is very good indeed. 16/20 (October 2005)

Domaine Lauriga Côtes du Roussillon 'Le Cadet de Lauriga' 2003: This is 60% Carignan fermented as whole berries, with 30% Syrah and 10% Grenache. There is certainly plenty of spiced, forest fruit on the nose. The palate is rather soft and subtly structured; there is a little backbone of tannin but the overall impression is of a soft, sweetly ripe, fruit-driven and undemanding drink, with a softly chewy finish. 15/20 (October 2005)

Domaine Lauriga Côtes du Roussillon 'Château Lauriga' 2003: This is a more serious, Syrah-dominated cuvée, this comprising 60% of the blend, the remainder 30% Carignan and 10% Grenache. Sweet berry fruit on the nose which carries through onto the palate, but here we have a much better presentation; a little creaminess to the texture, and an appealingly seamless character with a good tannic backbone, all supporting the dark berry fruit. Good. 16/20 (October 2005)

Domaine Lauriga Côtes du Roussillon Cuvée Boisée 2001: This has the same composition as the Château Lauriga, but this cuvée spends one year in 225 litre barrels, of which 30% are new each year. Lots and lots of sweet oak on the nose, presenting a wall of vanilla and coconut. Creamily textured palate, mouthfilling, good macerated berry fruit, but swamped with oak. I'm not of the school that believes great wines need piles of wood, and I preferred the purer fruit of the previous wine. But this may improve, as the oak integrates. 15+/20 (October 2005)